Meteorites talk, Lunar Impacts, Cassini Comp, BCO, Sir P.M., ISS, Astron course

From: TerryMoselaol.com

Date: 6 October 2009 01:43:23 GMT+01:00

Subject: Meteorites talk, Lunar Impacts, Cassini Comp, BCO, Sir P.M., ISS, Astron course

Hi all,

1. Oct 07: IAA FREE PUBLIC LECTURE, BELFAST: The next lecture of the Irish Astronomical Association's new season will be given by Dr Mike Simms of the Ulster Museum. It is entitled "To Here From Eternity: The story of the Bovedy, Sprucefield and Crumlin Meteorites". Mike is eminently qualified to talk on this topic, as he is the recognized expert on meteorites at the Ulster Museum. He is also currently President of the Belfast Geologists Society. We have had several excellent lectures from Mike before, and we are delighted to welcome him back again. It's on WEDNESDAY 7 OCTOBER, at 7.30 p.m., in the Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, Queen's University, Belfast. ADMISSION IS FREE, as always, and includes light refreshments. Everyone is welcome. Full details of the rest of the programme are on the website: www.irishastro.org

2. SEE LUNAR IMPACTS: On Friday morning, Oct. 9th, you can watch a pair of spacecraft crash into the Moon with your own eyes. The purposeful impacts are the climax of NASA's LCROSS mission to unearth signs of water in lunar soil. Here's how and where to look. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/05oct_lcrossvg.htm?list724598

3. CASSINI COMPETITION: Be a Cassini Scientist for a day! Contact l.f.thomasqmul.ac.uk for more details.

4. Blackrock Castle Observatory Events: For details of the latest forthcoming events at BCO, Cork, covering the period up to Xmas, see: www.bco.ie

5. SIR PATRICK MOORE, FRS, AT THE ROYAL INSTITUTION. A special event has been organised to mark Sir Patrick Moore's 75 years membership of the British Astronomical Assopciation. It will be held in the Faraday Lecture Theatre, Royal Institution, 21 Albemarle St, London W1, on Sat 21 November. The title is: "DEVELOPMENTS IN AMATEUR ASTRONOMY, PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE".

Organised by Dr John Mason MBE, (who gave a superb keynote lecture at the recent European Light Polluition Conference in Armagh), it will run from 10.00 to 17.00. Speakers include Sir Patrick himself along with Dr Peter Cattermole, well known lunar gelogy expert, on "The Craters of the Moon: From Pre-Apollo to Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter". Others include many well-known professional and amateur astronomers. The full programme can be found on the BAA website: www.britastro.org, or email officebritastro.org. The cost is a mere £10 for BAA member or £15 for non-members, including tea & coffee.

Further details & booking form from: Jean Felles, Office Manager, The British Astronomical Association, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0DU, Tel: 020 7734 4145, Fax: 020 7439 4629, E-mail: officebritastro.org, Website: www.britastro.org

6. ISS MORNING PASSES: The International Space Station will start another series of morning passes on 12/13 October. You can generate predictions for your location via www.heavens-above.com

7. STARGAZING FOR PLEASURE. In Association with the Bangor Spectator

Bangor, Hamilton House

Tuesday evenings 7pm to 9pm

November to December 2009

A series of eight illustrated evening lectures and practical demonstrations all aimed at beginners or those with a background interest. The lectures will cover;

1. The Night Sky Constellations – an introduction to the night sky and the basic principles – how to find your way around the night sky!

2. The History of Astronomy – how did our understanding of the universe and our place in it develop from Plato to Copernicus?

3. Our Nearest Star, the Sun – all our light and heat comes from our star, the Sun!

4. Planets of our Solar System – a romp through the planets, moons and dwarf planets of our Sun’s family

5. Meteors, Comets and Asteroids – a look at the ‘left overs’ from the solar system’s creation

6. The Milky Way and other Galaxies – our star city and its relationship to the others

7. Cosmology and the Universe – latest thinking on our place in the universe

8. Telescopes and Binoculars – will cover the purchase and setting up of astronomical equipment.

The series will be conducted by well known local amateur astronomer and monthly ‘Heavens Above’ columnist with the Bangor Spectator, Dr Andy McCrea, past President of the Irish Astronomical Association. Each evening session will be in two halves with a short break at 7.45. There will be an introduction with a description of what is visible in the night sky and there will be observing through telescopes and binoculars if weather conditions permit.

Special introductory cost for the complete series will be £90 per person

If you would be interested in attending this lecture series, please contact 91 273584 after 6 pm as soon as possible. Once numbers have been established, bookings and commencement dates will be confirmed.

Clear skies,

Terry Moseley